OPELOUSAS, La. ( KLFY ) — The Opelousas Police Department has officially released their crime statistics to show progress over last year. While the numbers speak for themselves, News 10 sat down with Police Chief Graig LeBlanc to find out how his department plans to keep crime rates low.
Comparing the numbers from 2022 to 2023, the police reported significant decreases in major areas of crime, including a 45% decrease in shootings and a 49% decrease in burglaries.
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The department has also seen an increase in arrests and homicides solved.
“It was an accomplishment for the police department,” LeBlanc said. “But, I think it was an accomplishment for the citizens as well. We want to continue to strive to do our best for the people, to make them comfortable, to just improve their quality of life.”
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When asked about how these results are possible, LeBlanc said his department spent extensive time focusing on proper training for officers, grant funding to ensure equipment and technology improvements, and salary increases to boost morale and have officers equip for the job.